Birds
Buller's Albatross
Thalassarche bulleri · also called Buller's mollymawk
Marked by a pale grey head, a darker cap, and a striking two-toned bill of black and yellow, Buller’s albatross breeds on a small cluster of remote New Zealand islands while maintaining one of the more stable populations among the mollymawk albatrosses.
Overview
Buller’s albatross, Thalassarche bulleri, is a Near Threatened seabird native to ocean habitat across the South Pacific, foraging widely off New Zealand, Australia, and South America. Its distinctive two-toned bill, capped head pattern, and comparatively stable population make it one of the more visually recognisable and resilient mollymawk species found anywhere in the Southern Hemisphere.
A mollymawk holding steady
While many mollymawk species have faced significant declines from longline fishing and habitat pressure, Buller’s albatross has managed to keep its population relatively stable, a rare piece of good news among a group of seabirds facing widespread conservation concern.
Status
Near Threatened, having remained relatively stable in recent years, though the species remains at risk given its concentration on a small number of breeding islands.
Buller's Albatross: common questions
How can you identify Buller's albatross?
This species has a distinctive bill marked with black and yellow tones, along with a pale grey head topped by a noticeably darker crown, features that together set it apart from similar mollymawk species.
Where does Buller's albatross breed?
This species breeds mainly on the Chatham Islands, Solander Islands, and Snares Islands, a small cluster of remote breeding sites off New Zealand rather than a single location.
Is Buller's albatross population declining?
No, this species has maintained a relatively stable population in recent years, a contrast with several other mollymawk species that have faced steeper declines from fishing bycatch.
What threatens Buller's albatross?
This species faces mortality from longline fishing operations, becoming hooked while attempting to take bait set for other target fish species across its wide foraging range in the South Pacific.